The Patriots went into this year's free agency with the most cap space to spend and plenty of roster holes needing to be addressed. For much of the offseason until the 2025 NFL Draft, Mike Vrabel and Co. spent most of their money on stacking the defense, with some impressive names joining the team to hopefully build a dominating unit.
Among the more underrated signings was outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed a one-year prove-it deal to build upon the impressive season he had with the Raiders in 2024. There wasn't a whole lot of excitement surrounding his addition to the defense, especially in comparison to players like CB Carlton Davis and DE Milton Williams.
However, much of that changed throughout the summer, as Chaisson continued to impress consistently at practice and even during the preseason.
His performance has reached a new high as the regular season approaches, with his potential and proven productivity propelling him past Keion White on the defensive depth chart. He is projected to keep that momentum going once the regular season begins, with the hype about his upcoming year reaching new heights.
K'Lavon Chaisson is proving to be an underrated addition to the Patriots' 2025 defense
With the regular season right around the corner, the excitement regarding what the Patriots will be able to accomplish is starting to build. There's a particular interest in what the defense will do, as they look like the stronger group, with much better coaching to make them even better.
Chaisson is going to be a big part of that, and OLB coach Mike Smith is already hyping him up to be a game-changer.
“The thing about KC is he’s smart. He’s a vet. He’s seen it. Loves the game of football. The way he works, the way he prepares. He’s one of these guys that you talk about stuff, and he gets it pretty quick. A lot of these guys you get in free agency on 1-year deals, and they’ve got something to prove. I think he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and he’s got something to prove – getting a home and being somewhere is a big thing for him. He’s playing well.”
Mike Vrabel has been vocal about his support for Chaisson, too, which proves even further how good he's looked at training camp. He has become a notceable piece of what they're trying to do with the defense, as he comes off the best season of his career recording 32 combined tackles, seven for a loss, eight quarterback hits, an interception, a forced fumble and five sacks.
Although that might not be historic numbers, he can be a vital piece to the defensive line, which he seems to be on par for, according to Vrabel.
“It takes some players a little longer than it takes others, and I would say that I’m hopeful that his best football is in front of him. I’m very excited about how he came in personality-wise and what he’s shown on the field thus far.”
Chaisson could become the latest home run signing that the Patriots have made, and he's already made it clear that he appreciates the chance he's been given by the team and hopes to be around for a long time.
If he is able to build upon the impressive year he had in 2024, there's no reason for the Patriots to turn the other way when he hits free agency next offseason.